Odisha Cabinet Approves Energy Project and Campus Wi-Fi Scheme

The Government of Odisha approved several major infrastructure and educational initiatives during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The most significant financial commitment is the ₹4,708.64-crore Upper Indravati Pumped Storage Project in Ranibahal, Kalahandi district. This 600 MW facility, the first of its kind in the state, is scheduled for commissioning by the 2030-31 financial year and will be executed by the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd with Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd as the contractor.

To bridge the digital divide, the cabinet also approved the Odisha Shikshanet flagship scheme. With an outlay of ₹393.62 crore over three years, the project will provide free, secure, high-speed Wi-Fi to 601 government and aided colleges. Authenticated students will receive up to 1 GB of free internet data per day for academic and research purposes, benefiting over 6 lakh students and faculty, particularly in rural areas.

Additional approvals included the removal of attempt limits for the Odisha Civil Services Examination and a Food and Paddy Procurement Policy for the 2026-27 Kharif season. Under this policy, the state will purchase 78 lakh metric tonnes of paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal. The cabinet also approved the draft Odisha Bovine Breeding (Regulation) Bill, 2026.